Republic of Mauritius- Letters of intent for purchase of outboard engine and fishing nets handed over to fishermen cooperatives

In his address, Minister Bholah highlighted the need to encourage participatory initiatives in the development of the cooperative fisheries sector adding that Government is determined to provide support to the fishermen community and ensure that they benefit from a number of facilities and services. The Grant Scheme, he said, is part of the measures taken in budget 2018/2019  to enhance the financial position of fishermen cooperatives and equip them with necessary tools for their fishing activities.  

The overall aim, he emphasised, is to leverage the fisheries sector and help fishermen to modernise their fishing activity by ensuring acquisition of modern and safer equipment. He recalled that in this endeavour, a refrigerated truck to the tune of some Rs 3.2 million was handed over last year to the Mauritius Fishermen Co-operative Federation Limited for their daily operations. He urged all fishermen cooperatives to demonstrate enthusiasm and to keep a fighting spirit against prevalent challenges of the sector so as to transform it into a thriving one.

For his part, Mr France Andy underlined that the fisheries sector is currently facing a number of challenges especially due to climate change. He stressed that it is important for fishermen cooperatives to re-organise and re-orient their fishing activities to make themselves sustainable. The procurement of tools and equipment for fishing purposes under the Grant Scheme, he added, is a good initiative of the Government to valorise the contribution of fishermen community to the Cooperatives sector. 

The Grant Scheme

The scheme, operated by the Cooperative Development Fund and the Ministry of Business, Enterprise and Cooperatives, comprises the provision of financial assistance to fishermen cooperatives for the purchase of new outboard engine and fishing nets.

Under this scheme, a grant of 60% of the cost of an outboard engine and fishing nets up to a maximum of Rs 60, 000 is provided whereby 30% up to a maximum of Rs 30, 000 is financed by the MFCF and other 30% by the Cooperative Development Fund while the recipient fishermen cooperative society bears the remaining costs.